North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. ELLMERS of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this bipartisan amendment.

I join my colleague, Congressman Jerry McNerney of California. Together, we chair the Grid Innovation Caucus with the belief that we need to have a bold and ambitious vision for modernizing our Nation's electric grid.

Our current electric infrastructure resembles that of the original grid built over 100 years ago. New technology has given us the opportunity to transform a 20th century grid into a 21st century grid, and my home State of North Carolina is helping to lead the way. In fact, North Carolina is the second-leading State in grid innovation technology development behind California.

There is a need to bring our electric grid and the entire electric system up to date in order to meet the changing demands of our digital economy. This amendment is simply a statement of policy and a blueprint for what we want our future grid to consist of and how we want it to perform. By adopting this amendment, we begin to develop a concrete plan to further secure our grid.

This is a conversation that needs to happen now, and this energy package moves the debate forward. Technology has given us the ability to further secure our grid from physical and cyber threats as well as increase the efficiency, reliability, and redundancy of this vital component.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. ELLMERS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bipartisan and commonsense amendment that would provide certainty to manufacturers and resolve this DOE rule.

I would also like to thank my colleagues DeGette, Pompeo and Dent for working with me on this issue.

This problem stems from an overly broad interpretation of a provision within the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in which Congress directed DOE to set energy efficiency standards for External Power Supplies.

DOE is now attempting to regulate a product that was not in the marketplace at the time Congress directed the department to set External Power Supple Standards.

Because of DOE's interpretation, other products--such as LED Drivers not intended for regulation--are now a facing regulation under the EPS rule.

This problem is, sadly, just another example of DOE expanding the scope of their rulemakings and capturing products that were not intended by Congress.

Thankfully, my amendment resolves the problem for this technology and prevents it from being included in other broad rulemakings.

The lighting industry is already strenuously regulated for energy efficiency, accounting for 20 percent of DOE's total efficiency regulations.

Regulations like this have had a negative impact of 750 million dollars to U.S. lighting manufacturers.

This regulation will only stifle innovation, ultimately leading to less energy efficient products and higher energy prices for consumers.

Manufacturers cannot operate in an uncertain marketplace and without Congressional action, this rule will unintentionally threaten thousands of jobs.

In North Carolina alone this industry provides over 3,000 jobs.

I urge my colleagues to join this bipartisan effort.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source